The Holiday Season has arrived, and with that the Revelstoke RCMP are seeing an increase in impaired driving occurrences.
Staff Sgt. Kurt Grabinsky says that over the past three days, (i.e. Friday, Saturday and Sunday) the police officers of the Revelstoke RCMP Detachment and Trans Canada East Traffic Services have conducted eight impaired-driving investigations, some involving accidents. Revelstoke Detachment historically investigates four impaired drivers per month. In 2013 there were a total of 58 impaired investigations. Current year to date had been 18.
“Those who are stopped for impaired driving can be investigated through several methods,” he said in a statement released on Monday afternoon, December 1. “An intoxicated driver affected by alcohol or drugs can be charged under Section 253 Criminal Code for Impaired Driving. This will involve an immediate 24 hours driving prohibition, followed by a 90 day Administrative Driving Prohibition, a vehicle impoundment and court proceedings. In court, a guilty verdict can results in a $1000 fine and a one year driving prohibition. Times in custody can vary.
“Other impairment investigations can consist of a 90-day driving suspension under the Immediate Roadside Prohibitions (IRP). If the driver provides a breath sample of a ‘Fail’ then the driver receives the 90-day driving prohibition, a 30-day vehicle impoundment and a $500 fine. A ‘Fail’ is defined as being in excess of 100 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.”
Providing a breath sample of a ‘Warn’ will result in a three-day driving prohibition, possible three-day vehicle impound and a $200 fine. A ‘Warn’ is defined as between 60 and 99 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
A 24-hour driving suspension will be issued to those who provide a sample between 50 and 59 mg of alcohol per 100 ml of blood.
“The Revelstoke RCMP strive to keep people safe,” Grabinsky said. “Impaired driving enforcement keeps those, who are driving while their ability is affected by alcohol or drugs, off the road. The effects of impaired driving on a community are quite apparent when injuries and deaths result. Having a designated driver, or not driving when drinking, are the best solutions.”
Those who wish to report a possible impaired driver can contact the Revelstoke RCMP at 250-837-5255 or Crimestoppers at 1-800-222-8477 (TIPS). If the situation is urgent, then consider calling 911 to report the incident.
